Posted: 10/18/06
Ecumen names leader for new North Branch senior community
 Leah Killian-Smith |
Ecumen has named Leah Killian-Smith as the leader of the new senior community that will open in North Branch next summer. Killian-Smith, who became administrator at Green Acres Country Care Center this month, will oversee the transition from Green Acres to the new community, which is being built west of North Branchís Tanger Outlet Center on a 20.8 acre site.
ìI am absolutely honored to be part of the collective effort to create the next generation of senior housing and services in North Branch,î said Killian-Smith. ìThis is a historic and transformational period in the profession of aging services, and Iím greatly looking forward to helping create a living experience in North Branch that the entire community is proud of. Itís going to be a lot of fun.î
Killian-Smith previously served as administrator of First Christian Residence, a Minneapolis nursing home that closed this month. Before joining Ecumen last year, she served for three years as administrator of Walker Cityview. She has worked in aging services for 13 years and, in addition to serving as an administrator for six years, she has worked in information services and as a consultant in aging services.
A native of Eveleth, Minn., Killian-Smith received her bachelor of arts from the College of St. Scholastica and graduated from the long-term care administration program at the University of Minnesota.
ìLeah is a thoughtful, energetic, compassionate leader,î said John Korzendorfer, Ecumenís director of operations. ìSheíll be a great asset to this new community and the larger North Branch community.î
Korzendorfer reports that construction of the new Ecumen community is going well and is on schedule for a July 2007 opening. In the coming weeks Ecumen will introduce the name for the new community.
The new Ecumen senior community will feature a town center with a bakery, coffee shop, general store, community room and chapel; 51 assisted living residences that will include garage parking; and two memory care residences that will each serve up to 10 people.
The community also will include a care residence that is smaller and will provide more privacy and amenities than provided by yesterdayís institutional nursing homes. It will be divided into four neighborhoods that will each serve 17 residents. Each smaller neighborhood will have a full kitchen and dining area. This area is currently being framed. Ecumen also will incorporate new wireless technology that will allow for greater independence for the communityís members.
North Branch area residents who want to place their name on a reservation list can call Monica Nelson of Uptown Maple Commons at (651) 277-7700.
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